Has the Flash Finally Achieved Escaped Velocity from Development Hell?

It seems like such a no-brainer that someone would eventually do a “Flash” movie, but it’s amazing that it hasn’t happened yet. TV gave it a shot, and I actually thought the special effects for the show was pretty good for its time (’90s). For the longest time, Ryan Reynolds was telling anyone who would listen that he would make a great Wally West, and honestly, who could disagree? But it never happened, and for all intents and purposes, a “Flash” movie looked dead. Maybe not so much if this report is true.

The site IESB says they’ve learned that “The Flash” lives again, and it might even have gotten a director in Greg Berlanti (top, left). If the name sounds familiar, that’s because Berlanti co-wrote the “Green Lantern” script, and at one point was thought to be directing the film. The studio eventually chose Martin Campbell over him, but will apparently still use parts of his script. Coincidentally, Ryan Reynolds will be playing Green Lantern after failing to get anyone interested enough to move forward with a Flash movie.

It’s probably a good bet that if a Flash movie does end up on the big screen, it’ll be about Wally West, since that would allow the filmmakers to cast a young actor in the role. In the comics, Wally West is the nephew of Barry Allen, who was the masked crimefighter known as The Flash. After Wally is doused with electrically-charged chemicals, he gains superspeed powers, and becomes his uncle’s sidekick, Kid Flash, before eventually taking over the mantle of The Flash.

Warner Bros. has certainly started to get their D.C. superhero ducks in a roll, what with the rejuvenated “Batman” franchise, the forthcoming “Superman” revival, and “Green Lantern” shooting in New Orleans.